Confession of a personal trainer........

I would suggest that you only go out to eat one time like on the weekends. It will help your health and will help your budget. I agree with Andrea...who really knows what they are putting in that food. I find it hard to count my calories when eating out. We really try to keep it to a minimum. Here is one thing you can do when eating out.....split your meal with a kid or with your husband. Dennis and I split meals all the time. In fact, the other night, when we were carbing up for our marathon ( that didn't happen), he told me to get my own pasta...I was like, "are you kidding me?'' I knew that I wouldn't be able to eat it all. Sure enough, I could hardly finish 1/2 of the dish. When going to eat always substitute fries for steamed veggies!!! Eat all your veggies first, then eat 1/2 of your meat and 1/2 of your starch. Take the other 1/2 home for your snack the next day. I can't say it enough....small meals all day is the key!!!!!

Here are a few of my favorite things to eat when going out:
http://www.panerabread.com/pdf/nutr-guide.pdf

black bean soup w/ ww bread
french onion soup w/o cheese and croutons w/ ww bread
lowfat veggie soup w/ ww bread
fresh fruit cup
classic salad

http://www.applebees.com/Menu_WW.aspx

On that note...The other day I was sitting in the Hobby Lobby parking, I look up and a couple of very large gals come walking out of the Starbucks across the parking lot. They were joyfully sipping on a frappachinno....All that I could think was "wow, I wonder how there butts got so big...do they know how many calories are in those drinks." I really love Starbucks, I also love Sonic...can anyone say cherry limeade?? While I am confessing...I love love love Sheridans? Can I get an AMEN SISTER to the strawberry and cheesecake concrete. My point is that I try to stay away on a regular basis. Sure, I will have one now and then, but seriously...I am not getting any younger here.